Winchester 1866 Yellowboy Rifle®

Winchester 1866 Yellowboy Rifle® Patent Print "Magazine Fire-Arm" N. KING, May 22, 1866. The Winchester 1866 Yellowboy Rifle, also known as the Winchester Model 1866, is a lever-action rifle that was produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company from 1866 to 1898. It was designed by Benjamin Tyler Henry, who had previously designed the Henry rifle, and was the first Winchester rifle to be manufactured with a steel frame. The Model 1866 was a significant improvement over the Henry rifle, which had a brass frame and was prone to damage from heavy use. The Model 1866 had a stronger steel frame and was chambered in the more powerful .44 caliber rimfire cartridge, which was more effective against game and could be used for self-defense. The Model 1866 was also the first Winchester rifle to feature a receiver that completely enclosed the breech bolt, which made the rifle more weather-resistant and less likely to jam in adverse conditions. The rifle also featured a brass cart